Tackling crime: One street at a time

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Neighbors are happy to see Austin police officers going door-to-door to get the word out that Iroquois Lane off of Burleson Road is the new "Street of the Month."

The program uses crime-trend data to focus on the most crime-ridden neighborhoods.

Police are concentrating on one particular neighborhood in Southeast Austin where crime ranges from auto thefts to assaults.

"We go door-to-door, pass out flyers, let them know when our next commanders forum will be and just see what their issues are so we can address those and help them clean up their neighborhood," said Kenny Nash with the Austin Police Department.

Some are hoping more changes are coming.

"I personally called the cops on a person that was breaking into a car that was right across the street," said Rachel Hattig, a neighbor. "It took 15 to 20 minutes to get a cop to come. By then, the people were gone."

The main issues around this particular street are car break-ins, drug trafficking, prostitution and trash on the streets.

However, in order for police to target areas, they rely on neighbors to report crimes. Police began surveillance on the neighborhoods Wednesday morning and it will continue until the beginning of December.